Proof press



Feb. 2, 1932.- I E. o. VNDEILQCOOK ET Al. 1,843,255 Y PROOF PRESS Filed June 6, 1931 I 5 shets-Sheet 1 Feb. Z, 1932. E. o. vANDERcooK ET AL 1,843,255

PROOF PRES S Filed June 6, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 2' Fel 2, 1932- E. o. vANDERcooK ET AL 1,843,255

PROOF PRESS Filed June 6. 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 @KW -E.

Patentecl Feb. 2, 1932 OFFICE EDWARD o. vANDnRooox, DAVID D. vAlvDnncooK, AND FREDERICK n. vANDnncooK;

OF EVANSTON, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION ILLINOIS PROOF Application led J" une 6,

Our invention relates vto power driven printers proof presses andthe main object of the invention is to provide improved structure and arrangementsfor applying ink to the inking rollers. f Y

Our invention is particularly applicable to the type of proof press in which inking rolls and the printing cylinder travel through an endless path and over the bed of the press,

the inking rollers inling the'galley or setfup andthe printing cylinder impressing `the proof sheet to the set-upfor the proof print-ry ing. Heretofore the inl; supplying means for the inking rollers has usually been in the form of a flat ink platelocatedVV on vthe machine for the travel thereover of theinking rollers and such arrangement hasnotbeen practical or efcient. Y f u A In accordance with our invention,theink supplying element is in the form of acylindrical drumon which inl; is distributed and in Contact with which the inking rollers travel to receive a supply of ink.,

y Another yfeature of the invention is the provision of simple `and -efcient means for applying anc ldistributing",inkon theink drum. i f Y Another feature of the invention resides in the provision for continuous preferably slow.

rotation of the ink drurnand controllable in? termittent drive from the same driving source of the inking roll structure andthe printing cylinder propulsion means.A e

The above enumerated and other features of our invention are incorporated in the structure disclosed on the c drawings, in' which drawings y Y Figure 1 is a front elevation of a proof press; 4

Figure 2 is a plan view of the pressvvith` parts thereof in horizontal section; 1

Figure 3 is a plan view of the supporting base frame of the press showing the arrangement of the driving elements therein; Y Y

Figure l is 'a section onplane `IXV--IV o 41'Gure'2.,

IO VANDIV-125Go02Ky EL SONS, OF CHICAGO,

:PRESS 19371. serial No. 542,499;

5 and 6, and the top wall-7 forming the press bed.v Bolts 8 extend transversely through the frame and are secured at theirends to bars 9 whichrat their lower ends` are secured in brackets 10 extending frornthe base frame 1, the press body frame being thus supported above the bvasefrarne.'V f

The side walls?) and 4 ofthe press bed frame yhave at their upper edges the horizontal laterally outwardly Y extending rail flanges 11 and 11', and at their lower edges have similar rail flanges 12 and 12', respectively, parallel with the upper flanges.V At their left ends, the walls 3 and l have extensions and 13V secured thereto whose out-- er ends `are semi-circular, and 'adjacent to their peripheries these extension walls Vhave grooves 14 and MTtherein, the outer wall 15 f Y surrounding the channel 14 of the frame extions of the walls: 3` and l of the press'body` and these walls have the channels 19 and v19K',V

respectively, similar to those in the walls 13 and 13' theeouter wall sections 21d-'20 form. ingcontinuations of and connecting the rail flanges on the press body. y

The walls 18-3-18 journal a cross shaft 21 whoseA axis is thejcentervofthe serniecircular ends of the channels lll-19", and outsidel of the walls 1S-18, the shaft-has secured therec tothe front and rear chainsproclrets 22-227,

a drive sprocketwheel 23 being secured to` sprocket 22. Y M y The extension walls 13-13 journal a' shaft 2l and outside 'of the walls front and rear sprocket -wheelsv25 and 25 are held on the shaft free torotate thereon, these` sprocket wheels beingin alivnment with thesproclet wheels 22 and 22v at the other end of the ma,`

chine, a vchain Ybelt 26 receivingthe frontsprockets 22 and 25 and a chain belt 26 receiving the rear sprockets 22 and 25. The rotated. To the right of the ink drum a frame 1'? from which the sprockets 22-22 shaft 42 is journalled in the walls 13-13 are supported is adjustable on the studs 16 by means of a screw 27 so that the chain belts may be kept at the proper tension.

rllhe chains 26-26 propel the inking roll carriage and the printing cylinder carriage. lVe have shown two inking roll carriages, each comprising end frames 23 connected by parallel shafts 29 which support the inking roll structures, each of which has metallic end sections forming rollers 30 and the intermediate section 3l formed of suitablecomposition for receiving ink. The roller ends 30 engage against the onter faces of the rail flanges 11-12 and 11C-12 and the outer faces of the wall extensions 13, 18 and 13', i8.

lach inking roll carriage end wall 28 supports rollers for engaging the inner sides of the rail flanges andthe outer sides of the channels in the walls 13-1 3 and 13-13, these channels being of a width substantially equal to the diameter of the rollers 32. By means of brackets 33 ext-ending from the end walls of the inking roll carriage these carriages are connected with the chains 26 and 26 clearly indicated on Figure 1. As the chains travel, the printing roll carriages are propelleLV through an orbit defined by the rail flanges on the press body and the chan nels through the extension wallsV thereon. lllhen the inking roller units travel. along the upper part of the orbit the inking rolls 36 travel across the galley or set-up on the press `ied Y to apply ink to the galley or set-up.

The printing cylinder carriage comprises end walls 34 hetween which extends the shaft which mounts the printing cylinder struc- 'nre comprising the metallic end sections 36 orming rollers and the intermediate section of? of suitable material for printing purposes, the roller sections 36 engaging the outer faces of the rail sections forming the orbit of travel. rlhe walls 34 also support rollers 38 for engaging the inner sides of the rails and for traveling through the channels in the extension walls on the press body. Brackets 39 exten ding from the walls 34 connect with the chains 26-26 and the connection with the chains is preferably spaced 180-degrees from the connection with the chains of the inking roll units. `When the chains are propelled, the printing cylinder rolls across the galley or set-up after a sheet has been applied thereto and the sheet is impressed against the galley and printed, the galley having been previously inked by the 'travel thereacross of the inking roll units.

Describing now 'our improved means for supplying ink to the inking rolls, a cylindrical ink drum 40 is secured to the shaft 24 between the extension walls 13-13 and Vthe shaft at its rear end has the sprocket wheel 41, by which the shaft and the ink drum are and has secured to its rear end the drive sprocket 43. An inverted U-shaped frame 44 has sleeves 45 and 46 at the ends of its legs which receive the shaft 42 so that the frame 44 may reciprocate on the shaft. Between the upstanding arms 47 and 48 on the frame 44 is journalled the ink applying roll 49 on which ink is smeared to be applied to the ink drum 40.

0n the front end of the shaft 42 is journalled on arm 50 having a sleeve 51 at its upper end for receiving and guiding a pin 52 extending rearwardly from the frame 44, the pin extending through a slot 53 formed in the adjacent wall 13, the slot being concentric with the shaft 42. Extending to the right from the base of the arm 50 is the lever 54 terminating in a grip 55, and by means of this lever the arm 50 may be swung` so that, through the pin connection 52, the frame 42 may be swung toward the left to apply the ink supply roller 49 to the ink drum.

The yoke of the frame 44 supports a depending pin 56 journalling a cam roller 57 which engages in the camway 58 formed between the two cam members 59 and 60 secured on the shaft 42, thecamway being of such direction that as the shaft 42 is rotated the frame 44 will be reciprocated on the shaft 42 longitudinally thereof to shift the ink supply roll 49 back and forth along the ink drum in order to uniformly distribute the ink thereon, so that when the inking rolls 30 travel through the track channels 14-*14, which are concentric with the ink drum, the composition inking rolls 31 will roll along the face of the ink drum and receive a charge of ink for inkingthe galley or set-up on the press bed. To .the right of the pin 52 the arm 50 supports a stud 61 from which a spring 62 extends downwardly and is anchored to the base frame 1. When the lever 54'is swung down to withdraw the ink supply roller 49 from the ink drum the spring` action will be at the right of the rotation axis of the arm 50 and the spring will tend to hold the parts in this position. When tl -e lever 54 is swung up to apply the ink supply roll to the drum, the spring action will be at the opposite side of the arm axis and the supply roll will be held yieldingly against the drum.

Describing now the driving elements, a motor 63 is mounted within the base frame 1 whose shaft, at its front end, supports a cone pulley 64 and a drive pinion 65. The pinion meshes with a gear 66 secured on the front end of apshaft 67 journalled on the frame 1 above the motor, and this shaft at its rear end' supports the sprocket pinion 68 which is outside of the frame 1. A chain belt 69 is driven by the sprocket pinion 63 and this chain engages the drive sprocket 41 for the ink drum supporting shaft 24, and also the sprocket 43Vfor rotating the shaft 42. ,i The chain also' engages an idler sprocket 70 which is'niournaled on a stud 7l which is adjustable in a slot 7 2in the rear wall of the frame l and by means of such adjustment the .belt 69 will be'v kept at the'proper tension. A belt'73 connects the cone pulley 64 with a cone pulley`7 4 whichis loosely journalled on the frontend of the shaft 7 5 j ournalled in the frontand rear wallsof the base frame l. Infront of the cone pulley 74 a clutch discv structure 76 is secured to the shaft 7 5 and behind the cone pulley. a sleeve 77 is keyed to the shaft but isV An adjustable idler sprocketrSl on the frame Y the rear so as to free the cone pulley 74 and prevent rotation of the'shaft 75. ,lhen the' l keeps the belt in proper tension.

` Near its rear end Vth-e sleeve 77 has the cir,- cumferential channel 82 ,for receiving the rollers 83 on the end of the fork frame 84 which is secured to and extends upwardly from a shaft 85 journalled within the'` frame l at right angles to the shaft 7 5. Secured tol the inner end of the shaft'S is' atreadle lever. 86 whose front end terminates in a foot plate 87 in frontA ofthe base l, a spring 88 tending to hold the lever up with the fork frame 84 holding-:the sleeve 77 withdremfn` to treadle lever is depressed the 'sleeve' 77 is shifted forwardly and the-conev pulley is clutched and the motor will then, throughthe belt 73, rotate the shaft 7 5 for travel ofthe.

inking roll structures and the printing cylinder structure through their` orbit. 'an the driving arrangement shown, the ink ldrun'ris driven at comparatively slowV speed' while the inking roll structures and the printing roll structure travel at a greater speed, and the direction of rotation of the ink drum is opposite to that of the belts 26-26. inking rolls 3l thus travel over and around a considerable are of the ink drum to receive.

an ample and uniform coating of ink for delivery to the galley or set-up on the K4press' bed. By means of the cone pulleys 64 and 74 the chains 26,-26 may be given different speeds, three dii'ferentspeeds being Vavail-V able with the cone :pulleys shown. Y Y

The motor andV transmission elements driven thereby .are enclosed within the frame l and may be accessible through a door 89 provided in the front walliof the frame. The

driving parts are thus protected and theV op-V The erator Vcannot come yinto contact therewith during operation of the machine. ln order to enclose the driving parts on the press. l

body and Ito protect the operator from con-V tact therewith, sheet metalprotecting walls or covers 90 ymay be applied;

For supportingthe work which is to be printed, a shelf 91 may be provided above the press bed. As shown, this shelf extends forwardly over the-press bed from legs 92 which extend upwardly fromV and may be 'secured to the rear side of the press body by the' cross bolts 8. Y

Thefcircuit for the driving motor 63 .isf- P I controlled by a switch structure 93 of any suitable type. The switch is operable by a lever 94 extending from its switch element (not shown) and preferably provision is made to actuate' the switch simultaneously with swing of the lever 54 lto apply the inky supply roll to the ink drum. As'shOwn, a

link 95Vconnects the end ofthe switchlever 94 with an arrn96 extending from the hub of the arm 50. `When the lever 54 is down and the ink supply rroller is away'from the ink drum, the motorv switch'is open. l/Vhen ther lever 54' lis swung up to apply the ink supply roll to the ink drum, the motor switch will be automatically closed and the motor starts and operates the machine. The spring 62 which then yieldingly holds the ink supply roll to the ink drum will also Vyieldingly hold the' switch in closed position; Y

, Briefly describing the operation of the niaehine, when it is desired to operate the machine, thelever 5'4 is swung up to bring the and to. start the motor, a supply of ink hav- Vink supply roller 59 against the jink drum ingv been previously applied to the roll f 49.v The :operator `tnen takes a. sheet fromx.

the stock on the shelf 91 to be printed, and he lays the'sheet on the galley or set-.up on the press bed. He then depresses lthe treadle to shift the sleeve 77 for clutching the cone pulley 7 4 to the shaft 75 for propulsion of the belts 26-26. Usually, the sheet is laid on the galley after the inking rollers have traveled thereover for an application-of ink` thereto.V lf the inking roll structures are not in theproper position for such application of ink to the galley before the machine is started, the operator depresses the treadle until the inkingf rolls are propelled to apply ink to the galley and a sheet to be printed is then laid on the galley ready vfor travell .thereover of the printing cylinder.-

The operator` times his feeding so that `a sheet -will be applied to .the galley or set-up immediately after travel of the inking rollers over the galley so that the sheetwill be in proper position for the printingfcylinder. "lf the operator is not fast enough for continuous operation of the belts 26-26,

he mayv stop the machineY by' releasing the i Vtreadle after each time the Vprinting rolls have ilo been carried across the galley or set-up, and then after a sheet has been properly positioned he can depress the treadle for propulsion of the belts 2li-26 and travel of the printing cylinder over the sheet. The ink drinn rotates continuously so that the ink thereon isy kept at the proper consistency and to be received by the inking rolls for inking of the galley or set p. To entirely stop the machine, the lever 55 is swung downwardly, which operation `withdraws the ink supply roll 49 frein the ink druin and opens the niotor circuit switch.

To quickly stop the chains 26-26 after release of the treadle, th brake disc 9'? is provided' on the rear end of the sleeve 'Z7 for engaging the stationary brake disc 98 on the frame l.

In the operation of the machine, it is of course necessary to prevent the printingl cylinder 37 froin engaging with the ink drinn. lV e have provided a very simple and efficient arrangement for accomplishing this. lt will be noted that vthe rollers on the printing carriage closer together than the rollers on the inking carriage. 'W ith this arrangenient, when the rollers 32 travel through the guideivays ll and 14', the inking rollers 3l are brought into intin'iate contact with the surface of the ink drun, but when the rollers 38 travel through the guideivays, the printing cylinder Will be held clear of the ink drinn surface.

We thus provide a sinple, practical and eiiicient power-operated proof press which assures adequate, clean uniform application of ink to the inking rolls. We do not inade Without departing from the scope and principles of the invention defined by the appended claims.

i vWe claim our invention:

l. ln a printing press, the combination of a printing carriage supporting a printing cylinder, an inkinp' carriage suppo .ting inkin rollers, track vror said carriages defining an orbit of travel tnerefor, a press bed parallel Witl section of said track, propulsion ineans for propelling said' carriages through said orbit for successive engagement of the inking rollers and the printing cylinder with a setup on the press bed, an ink druni concentric with a part of said orbit for engageinent therewith of the iii-T rollers for supplying ink thereto, driving source, a driving` connection between said source and said propulsion ineans, and e driving connection between said source and r druin.

2. ln a printing press, the combination ofV a printing carriage supporting a printing cylinder, an inging carriage supporting inking rolls, a track for said carriages defining an orbit of travel therefor, a press bed parat lel With a section of said track, a driving belt connected with said carriages, pulleys for said belt and supporting shafts therefor, said carriages being connected with said belt for successive travel over a setup on the press bed When the belt is driven, an ink druin concentric with one of said shafts with its cylindrical surface in the path ofthe inking rolls for travel thereover of said rolls and application of ink thereto, a driving` source, a transmission train between said source and one of said shafts for driving of said belt, and a transmission train between .said source and said ink drurn. Y

3. ln a printing press, the combination of the press ed, a printing cylinder, an inking roll, means for causing said inking roll and sai d printing cylinder to travel successively over said bed for application of ink to a setup on said bed and for printing from the inked setup, and an ink drum arranged for travel thereover of the inking roll to be supplied with ink.

fr. ln printing press, the combination of he press bed, a printing cylinder, an inking roll, means for causing said inking roll and said printing cylinder to travel successively over said bed for application of ink to a setup on said bed and for printing from the inked setup, an ink drum arranged for travel thereover of the inking roll to be supplied with in` and ineans for rotating said ink druin independently of the printing cylinder and inking roll moving means.

5. ln a printing press, the combination of the press bed, a printing cylinder, an inking roll, ineans for causing said inking roll and said printino' cylinder to travel successively over said bed for application of ink to a setup on id bed and for printing the inked setup, an ink druni arranged for travel thereover of the inking roll to be supplied with ink, and ineans for rotating said ink druin in a directionopposite to that ofthe travel of said inking roll thereon.

6. a printing press, the combination of the press bed, a printing cylinder, an inking` roll, means for causing said inking roll and said printing cylinder to travel successively over said bed for application of ink to a setup on said bed and for printing from the inked setup, an ink druin arranged for travel there over of the inkin r roll to be supplied with ink. and ineens for rotating said ink drum in a direction opposite to that of the travel of said. inking roll thereover and at a slower speed.

7. ln a printing press of the class described, the combination of a printing cylinder structure, au inking roll structure, a guide track for said structures, defining an orbit of travel therefor, means for propelling said structures for successive travel over the printing bed of the press, an ink drum concentric With a part of said track for pre- With said ink drum for supplying ink thereto.

8. In a printing press of the class described, the combination of a printing carriage,jan inking carriage, a guide track for said carriages defining anorbit of travel therefor, means forpropelling said carriages for' successive travel over the printing bed of theV press, an ink drum concentric with a part of said track for presenting its cylindrical surface for travel thereover by the inking rolls `of the inking carriage for applying ink thereto, an ink supply roll adapted for engagement with said ink drum for supplying ink thereto, means for rotating said ink drinn, and means for axially reciprocating said ink supply roll to cause uniform spreading of ink on said drum. c

9. In a press of the class described, the combination of a printing cylinder structure, an inking roll structure, a track defining an orbit of travel for said structures, means for moving said structures around said track for successive travel across the printing bed of the press, an ink drum concentric With a section of said track for engagement by the inking rollers o-f the inking structure for application of ink thereto, an ink supply roll for said drinn, a supporting frame for said ink supply roll supported to be axially shifted to reciprocate the ink supply roll when in engagement with the ink drum, means controlling the reciprocation of the ink supply roll supporting frame, and driving means for rotating said ink drum and for actuating said reciprocation controlling means. i

10. In a press of the class described, the combination of a printing Vcylinder structure, an inking roll structure, a supporting track for said structures defining an orbit of travel therefor, means for moving said structures around said orbit for successive travel thereof across the printing bed of said press, an ink drum concentric with part of said track for travel thereover of the inking rolls of the inking structure to apply ink thereto, an ink supply roll for said ink drum and a supporting frame therefor, cam means for reciprocating saidsup'porting frame for axial shift of said ink supply roll to uniformly spread the ink on said drum, and means for rotating said ink drum, and for actuating said cam means. y e il. ln a press of the class described, the combination of a printing cylinder structure, an inking roll structure, a. supporting track for said structures defining an orbit of travel therefor, means for moving said structures around said orbit for successive travel thereof across the printing bed of said press, an ink drum concentric With part of said track for travel thereover of the inking rolls of the inking structure to apply ink thereto, an link supply roll for said ink drum and a supporting frame therefor, camk means for reciprocatingsaid supporting frame for axial shiftA of said ink supply roll to uniformly spread the ink on said drum, and means for rotating said ink drum and actuating said lcam means,said cylinder being rotated in a v direction opposite tothe direction of travel of said printing cylinder andA inking roll structures.

12. in a press ofrthe'class described, the combination ofaAv printing cylinder structure and aninkingroll structure, a supporting track for said structures defining an orbit" of travel therefor, means forpropelling said structures for -successive travel thereof over the printing bed of the press, an ink drumV concentric Vwith a partof said track for travel thereover ofthe inking rolls ofthe inking structure for applying ink thereto, an

ink supplyroll for said drum, a supporting frame for said ink supply roll adapted to vbe swung to move said supply roll into or out of engagement with said drum, reciprocating means for reciprocating said [supporting f frame for axial reciprocation of said ink supply roll to cause uniform vspreading of'ink on said drum, a drivingsource, and a driving transmission driven byV said source vandl connect-edito rotate said ink drum and operatev said reciprocating means. p 1 Y 13.- In a lpress of the ylass described, the combination of a printing cylinder structure land an-.inking rollstructure, a supporting track 'for said structures defining an orbit of travel therefor,'means for propelling said structures for ysuccessive travel thereof: over the printing bedof the press, an ink drum con-k centric With a part of said track for travel thereover of the inking'rolls of the inking structure for application of ink thereto, an ink supply roll and a supporting frame therefor adapted to be swung to move said supply roll into or out of engagement with said drum,

reciprocatingmeans for reciprocating said supporting frame for axial reciproca-tion of vsaid ink supply roll to cause uniform spreading of ink on said drum, a driving source, a

driving transmission driven by said source and connected to' rotate said'ink drum and operate said reciprocating means, and means Acontrolled upon movementofsaid ink supply roll e a gainst or away fromA said ink drum for rendering said driving'sourceoperative or inoperative. Y L Y f '14k An inking attachment for printing presses comprising an ink drum having its surface disposed for travel thereover 'of the press inking rolls, an ink supply roll for said ink drum anda supporting frame therefor adapted to be moved to carry said supply lroller into or out of engagement With said drum, driving means for rotating said drum,

controlling means for said driving means, and means controlled by the movement of said ink supply roll into or out of engagement with drum for actuating said controlling means to render said driving means operative or inoperative.

15. An inling attachment for printing presses comprising` a drum disposed with its circumference for trave-l thereover of the pressinlring` rolls, an ink supply roll for said drum and a supporting frame therefor adapted to be moved to bring said supply roll into or out of engagement with said drum, an electric motor and a driving connection therefrom for rotating said drum, a switch for said motor, and a connection between said switch and said frame for closing said switch for operation of the motor when said frameismoved to apply said supply roll to said drum and to open said switch when said frame is moved to withdraw said supply roll from said drin 16. An inking attachment for printing presses comprising a drum disposed with its cylindrical surface for travel thereover of the press inking rolls, an inlr supply roll for said drum and a supporting frame therefor adapted to be moved to bring` said roll into and out of engagement with said drum, said supporting frame being shiftable for axial shift of said supply roll when in engagement with said drum for equal distribution of ink on said drum, a rotary cam for shifting said frame, an electric motor and a driving train extending` therefrom for operating said drum and said cam, a switch for said motor, and a connection between said-switch and frame for causing closure of said switch when said frame is moved to apply said supply roll to said drum and for opening said switch when said frame is moved to withdraw said supply roll.

17. In a printing press of the class described, the combination of the press body, a printing carriage, an inlring carriage, guide tracks on said body, guide rollers on said printing carriage and guide rollers on said inking carriage engaging said tracks and said tracks defining an orbit of travel for said carriages, means for propelling said carriages through said orbit, an ink drum concentric with part of said tracks for presenting its cylindrical surface for travel thereover by the inling rolls of the inking carriage for applying ink thereto, the guide rollers on said printing carriage being closer together than the guide rollers on said inking carriage whereby during travel of the printing carriage concentric with the ink drum the printing cylinder of the print-inv carriage will be held clear of the ink drum ink surface.

18. In a printing press, the combination of a press bed, a printing cylinder, an inking roll, means defining a closed orbit of travel for said cylinder and roll, means for moving said cylinder and roll through said orbit for successive travel thereof over the press bed and a vset-up thereon, an ink drum concentric with part of said orbit arranged for travel thereover of the inking roll to be supplied with ink, and means for holding said printing 

